The ‘post-condom era’ or the urgent need to provide effective contraception for women living with HIV

Abstract

To date, vaginal intercourse is the most common route for HIV transmission and accounts for more than 80% of new infections in women worldwide [1]. Nearly 10 years ago, in 2008, Swiss experts recommended that suppressive ART could provide effective and sufficient protection to allow unprotected sexual intercourse[2]. More than 8 years of clinical experience did not change this statement, but rather, confirmed it [3]. Today we know that the HIV transmission risk between sero-discordant couples, in which he infected partner is receiving effective antiretroviral therapy (ART), remains very low [4]. This has changed the landscape of HIV medicine, especially for HIV-infected women who wish to become pregnant with an HIV-negative partner in a natural way, not dependent on artificial insemination.